Aircraft mobile chock

Abstract

Mobile platform units for separate selective engagement with the normal ground contact elements of aircraft undercarriage components (inclusive of wheels and tires, etc.) for distributing the usual highly concentrated loadings thereof over a greater ground contact area. The mobile units have a platform supported above ground level by rolling support components that may comprise a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers, or wheels, and/or endless belt tracks disposed thereabout to collectively provide a total ground contact area which is greater than that of the aircraft ground contact element being supported. Ramp components of resilient construction are hinged to the platform in a manner providing a downturned inwardly disposed leg that is adjacent to the rotatably mounted rollers, etc. when the ramp is in a down position whereby the weight of an aircraft on the resilient ramp moves the downwardly turned leg to an interfering position providing braking action for the units. The ramp components when in the up position engage the aircraft ground contact elements to hold the mobile platform unit and aircraft in an operative carrying relationship.

I claim: 
     
       1. A mobile platform unit for separate selective engagement with components of aircraft inclusive of wheels and tires for distributing the usual highly concentrated loadings thereof over a greater ground contact area when the aircraft is to be moved over otherwise inadequate ground support surfaces comprising a platform adapted to receive at least one of said aircraft components, an axle element engaged and supported by said platform, rolling support components on said axle element for extension past lower surfaces of said platform for contact with the ground support surface whereby movement of said mobile platform unit and attached aircraft is facilitated and further comprising a ramp therefor at an end of said platform, said ramp being movable to an up position where said ramp is engaged against the at least one aircraft component being carried and to an alternate down position providing an inclined approach surface facilitating movement of said at least one aircraft component to its carry position on said platform, and primary lock means associated with said ramp for engagement with said rolling support components for preventing movement thereof when the ramp is in the down position wherein said primary lock means comprises an extension element attached to said ramp and positioned adjacent said rolling support components wherein said ramp and extension element are formed integrally as parts of said ramp and further comprising a hinge for mounting said extension element and ramp to said platform with said ramp and extension element being on opposite sides of said hinge. 
     
     
       2. The mobile unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ramp is of resilient construction and said extension element is a downturned leg of said ramp whereby the resilience of said ramp as the at least one aircraft component is received thereon operates said primary lock means. 
     
     
       3. A mobile platform unit for separate selective engagement with components of aircraft inclusive of wheels and tires for distributing the usual highly concentrated loadings thereof over a greater ground contact area when the aircraft is to be moved over otherwise inadequate ground support surfaces comprising a platform adapted to receive at least one of said aircraft components, an axle element engaged and supported by said platform, rolling support components on said axle element for extension past lower surfaces of said platform for contact with the ground support surface whereby movement of said mobile platform unit and attached aircraft is facilitated wherein said axle element is of drop center construction and further wherein said rolling support components comprise a plurality of wheels on opposite ends of said axle element and disposed outwardly of said platform, said at least one aircraft component being disposable on said platform and interiorly of said wheels wherein said platform is of curved construction for conformance with a wheel and tire component of said aircraft wherein said drop center axle is disposed above said platform for engagement by said at least one aircraft component carried by said mobile unit. 
     
     
       4. A mobile platform unit for separate selective engagement with components of aircraft inclusive of wheels and tires for distributing the usual highly concentrated loadings thereof over a greater ground contact area when the aircraft is to be moved over otherwise inadequate ground support surfaces comprising a platform adapted to receive at least one of said aircraft components, rolling support components for extension past lower surfaces of said platform for contact with the ground support surface whereby movement of said mobile platform unit and attached aircraft is facilitated wherein said mobile unit is of sled type configuration with said platform providing openings therethrough for reception of said rolling support components wherein said rolling support components comprise a plurality of axles and wheels disposed along sides of said platform with a lower ground contact face of said wheels being only slightly below said platform and with said wheels being useful to move the mobile unit over prepared hard ground support surfaces wherein said wheels are disposed at varied vertical positions with respect to said platform to provide progressive wheel exposure beneath said platform along the length of said mobile unit.